The Public Fountains
of Italy
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Copyright © 2007 Elizabeth Jean
The Marvels of Ancient Rome
To really understand the significance of public
fountains to Italians, you have to look back to ancient Roman times. The
Romans were great engineers and artisans, and the network of eleven
aqueducts they created to supply the people of Rome and other major cities
with water was probably unparalleled anywhere in the world at that time.
The remains of the aqueducts that ran through the Campagna region of Italy
can still be seen today, and are a fascinating reminder of the levels of
scientific and engineering achievement reached by the Romans. Not only did
they supply all the fountains and baths houses of Rome with fresh water, but
it was drinkable and its flow was regulated through the use of man-made
underground reservoirs to ensure a consistent and reliable supply, even in
hot weather. |
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The public fountains of the ancient Romans tended to be
relatively simple in ornamentation, with smaller fountains often
taking the form of stylized animal or human heads built into a wall,
from the mouth of which came a stream of water. Larger fountains
provided several streams that flowed into a large basin, allowing
access to water for both humans and animals. Regardless of their
size, the fountains were built in the squares and at the major
crossroads of the communities they served, and the ruins of Pompeii
illustrate how these public fountains would have served as a central
meeting place for the community - women talking and gathering water
for cooking and washing, men and animals quenching their dusty
thirsts on hot summer days, and children playing in the water.
Fountains for your own home and backyard can be found at
http://www.garden-fountains.com .
The Dawn of the Renaissance
The Renaissance movement heralded the arrival of a new, more ornate
and decorative style of architecture in Rome, and the major public
fountains of Rome and Italy began to change. Some of the most
noteworthy fountains in the world were designed and built between
1200 and 1650, and many of them are still functioning in Rome today.
We've taken a closer look at a cross-section of Roman public
fountains that illustrate the true virtuosity and diversity of
styles that can be seen on a walk around Rome. |
Fountains of Rome
Triton Fountain
The Triton Fountain was the first fountain designed by the
Italian sculptor and architect Gian Lorenzo Bernini, a man who
played a leading role in defining the Baroque style, and who was for
many years the architect of St. Peter's Basilica, under the
patronage of several Popes. Pope Urban VIII wished for a major new
fountain to be constructed in the Piazza Barberini to commemorate
the reopening of the Aqua Felice aqueduct. Bernini's design created
an imposing focal point for the square that used the imagery of
Triton, god of the sea, to represent the power and vitality accorded
to Roman civilization by a reliable supply of running water. The
Triton Fountain features a sculpted marble model of Triton, half-man
half-fish, sitting atop an open shell, holding a large conch shell
to his mouth, from which water flows into the large basin that forms
the base of the statue.
Four Rivers Fountain
The other fountain for which Bernini is particularly noted is the
Four Rivers Fountain, in the Piazza Navona. The death of Pope Urban
VIII had left Bernini temporarily without a sponsor, his
replacement, Pope Innocent X not favoring Bernini in the same way
A number of prominent sculptors and artists of the day were invited
to submit a design for the new fountain in the Piazza Navona, but
Bernini was excluded. However, he was persuaded to create a design
by a friend, who contrived that it should come to Innocent's
attention. Upon seeing it he is reputed to have declared that
it was a trick to view Bernini's work, because once seen it was
impossible for him not to commission the fountain. The Four Rivers
fountain is based around a representation of the four continents of
the world (as were known at the time) - the River Nile (Africa), the
Danube (Europe), the Ganges (Asia) and the River Platt (Americas).
Each River was represented by a river god and is seated around a
cleverly designed mound of marble rocks, from which many streams of
water issue, and on top of which is supported a magnificent Egyptian
Obelisk.
Trevi Fountain
The Trevi Fountain is one of the most imposing public fountains in
Rome. The concept was originally designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini,
but on his patron Pope Urban VIII's death, the plans were shelved
for some years. They were later resurrected, and nearly a century
later Nicola Salvi completed the designs for this fountain and
oversaw its inception. Large and imposing, the Trevi Fountain marks
the end of the Aqua Virgo aqueduct and is over 25m wide and 19m
high. The tableau of the fountain depicts Tritons guiding sea horses
through the tumultuous oean. On either side of the fountain, in
alcoves, are the figures of the goddesses of Health and Abundance.
It is said that upon throwing a coin over their shoulder into the
fountain, visitors can be assured of a return to Rome, the "Eternal
City" at some point in their lives. |
the end
About The Author:
Written by Elizabeth Jean for
http://www.Garden-Fountains.com For more information on the incredible
water features of Rome mentioned here, visit our section on the Public Fountains
of Italy
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On the 20th day of June in the year 1819 the
steamship Savannah arrived at Liverpool from the United States. When the
Savannah approached the English coast with her single stack giving forth volumes
of dense black smoke, it was thought by those on shore that she was a ship on
fire, and British men-of-war and revenue cutters set out to aid her. When the
truth was known, consternation reigned among the English officers. They were
astonished at the way the craft steamed away from them after they had rushed to
assist what they thought was a ship in distress.
South America
From Patagonia in the south to Columbia and Venezuela in the north, South
America offers travelers with an entire continent to explore. Visitors who
travel South America can visit tremendous mountains, amazing rain forests and
beautiful beaches. A trip to South America will
expose travelers to various languages and cultures from both the new world of
Europe to the ancient societies of South America’s indigenous people.
I'll never forget the look on the face of that Colombian
campesino man. My wife just explained to him in Spanish that what I
am holding under my arm is indeed a surfboard, despite the fact that
we were standing in a Colombian village that was located somewhere
in the middle of the Andes Mountains, hundreds of miles away from
any ocean. After hearing this news the man made a joke about us
getting bad directions. Crossing the Andes
with a surfboard.
The climb up the glaciers to the summit of
Mount
Chimborazo in Ecuador isn't considered highly technical. Technically, it is
mountaineering, but how hard could it be, considering that I went to 20,600 feet
the first time I used crampons and an ice axe? Okay, I had used them once for
practice, on a sledding hill near my house.
Getting married in Chile is one of the most
romantic ideas you can come up with. You should first check with
the Chilean Embassy and Consulate Office for current laws and
requirements. Getting married abroad is as legal and accepted as if it
happened domestically as long as you adhere to the proper requirements
of both the host country and your own.
What attracts most visitors to the area is the many mega-resort
properties that line Highway 307 from Cancun to Tulum, also referred to
as the Riviera Maya. People are lured by the miles of beaches, clear
turquoise sea, and the ability to leave their wallets in the hotel safe
for a week for an all-inclusive Caribbean holiday. Unfortunately, if
you never leave the resort, you miss out on experiencing the culture
and beauty of the Mexican Coast.
The Fascinating History of
the Panama Canal.
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European Highlights
For the fortunate few, life isn’t complete without a
backpacking trip through Europe. This rite
of passage is believed to further the maturation process of college students,
according to sociologists. Of course, others have opined that copious amounts of
alcohol, sun and Amsterdam have something to do with it. Regardless of your
purpose, you still have to figure out what to take.
Alsace, unlike the other French regions, is rich in
French, German and Swiss influences. The region is situated among the Vosges
mountains in the mid-eastern to north-eastern part of France. Alsace is the
smallest of all French regions with Strasbourg bordering Germany and the Rhine
River. Towards Mulhouse in the south, the region is bordered by Switzerland and
the region known as Franche-Comte.
***
Prenzlau: Pristine nature, clean air and clear water, a wide variety
of nature protection and landscape conservation areas plus biosphere reserves –
the calmness and the light are the reasons why people feel so at home
here.Prenzlau an the Uckermark have all kinds of cultural and sporting
activities on offer, as well as modern accommodation options. I´d like tell you
a little bit about what´s on offer.
After a tour of the city, a trip to the Uckersee Lake for a spot of rest and
recreation is highly recommended. The Unteruckersee Lake has for many centuries
been one of the towns´treasures. Frederick I also held the lake in high esteem,
choosing it as the venue for his legendary swan hunt – which gave our coat of
arms its swan, by the way.
The lake has a special attraction for people of Prenzlau and visitors to our
town. As well as the Uckersee Lakes – the Uckersee Lake itself is linked to the
upper Uckersee Lake by canal – there are wonderful places to go in the direct
vicinity of the town for hiking, cycling and boat trips. You can take a relaxing
sailing trip across the Uckersee Lakes in the “Onkel Albert” passenger ship, or
put your own muscle power to the test with a trip on the “Ukrasvan”, a
reproduction 10th-century Slavic boat. If the sun shines as well, you´ll have
the perfect nature experience.
***
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Kingdom
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Bulgaria was the Slav land of Orpheus and Spartacus.
It holds countless treasures, burial tombs and magnificent art and frescos
reminiscent of centuries past, offering visitors the opportunity to tour
numerous museums and monuments to understand Bulgaria’s rich cultural heritage..
Today, culturally the Bulgarians remember the days when men tried to appease the
natural elements and trembled before their power! Rich with beauty, gaiety,
mystical voices, fiery dances and brightly colored costumes, Bulgarian folklore
has to be seen, felt and experienced…
Bulgaria is best known for its budget holiday
resorts on the Black Sea. Here you can enjoy great health and leisure
activities at a fraction of the cost of most other tourist destinations. Warm
sunshine with pleasant temperatures (around 26°C in summer) comfortable hotels,
white, non-tidal beaches, water sports are but some of the attractions to the
area. There is also plenty of entertainment laid on by the hotels, including
night life at all the resorts. In addition, within minutes you can find yourself
in picturesque mountains, ski resorts and golf courses.
***
In Belgium the traffic drives on the right,
drivers must be 18 and carry a valid driving licence and international driving
permit, if they are foreigners. Seatbelts are mandatory for everyone and
children under three must use a proper child restraint system. A warning
triangle is compulsory as are headlamp converters (for left hand drive cars),
dipped headlights in poor weather and a first-aid kit. Belgium has strict
drunk-driving laws, only allowing 0.25mg/ml of alcohol in the blood. Fines range
from €125 on-the-spot to €2,500 (if prosecuted) and up to a maximum of €10,000
(if over 0.8mg/l), a six-month sentence and five-year suspension of your licence.
Speed limits are implemented rigorously with frequent radar traps and heavy
on-the-spot fines.
With the same dedication of the swallows returning to
Capistrano, the rich and famous flock to the French
Riviera every year. When you walk along the city streets in the spring, or
one of the many bustling open-air fruit and vegetable markets, and you might
just find yourself passing a famous movie star or elegant fashion model.
The Grand Prix is held in Monaco. It ranks
among the top sporting events in the world, and for good reason. The
combination of Formula One cars street racing and the influx of celebrities to
the playground of Europe make a heady mix for the annual event, and is viewed as
part of the social calendar for the world’s top sports stars, actors, models and
businessmen. The circuit takes in Casino Square and passes by the renowned
Hotel de Paris in Monte Carlo, making it one of the most recognisable hotels in
the world.
Spain is such a popular destination we have
created an entire directory for it.
Explore Morocco *
The Cultural Heritage of Vienna
Switzerland
greets the eye like a fairy tale. Its cities are precision built, the
trains run on time and everywhere you look the natives there seem to be dancing
or at least having a great time. The diversity of the German, French,
Romanish, and Italian languages has formed a robust national culture.
A short tour of Rome.
Discover everything you need to Know for the Perfect
Vacation, including where to stay, where to eat and the best places to visit in
Florence, Italy. Find out the answers to the Top 50 most Frequently asked
Questions about Florence, Italy. Visit Places to
visit in Florence Italy
Joined to Bagnoregio, and to the world, through only one bridge,
Civita Italy appears in an unreal isolation due to
landslip series and downfall of argillaceous ground on which the entire town is
built and that is still in danger.
Incredible prices for all kinds of goods can be found on
the Rock of Gibraltar. |
London has miles and miles of
adventure, from the distant past to the rocketing future.
The History of London
Bridge: London Bridge today is not the same London Bridge that
crossed the Thames when it was first built. Peter, a priest and chaplain of St.
Mary's of Colechurch, began the foundation of the original bridge in 1176 to
replace a wooden bridge (expensive to maintain and repeatedly burned down) that
had first been built by the Romans.
Southend-on-Sea is Essex’s
largest town and its close proximity to London makes it a popular tourist
destination year after year. Better still, it is located in the south east
of the country in an area widely regarded as the driest part of Britain.
Southampton -- Set on the coast of Hampshire,
south of Winchester, this is a place that abounds with a fascinating heritage.
The Romans, who established it as a seaport, founded Southampton approximately
2,000 years ago. This was the port from which the ill-fated Titanic had set sail
on her maiden voyage in 1912. Even though the place was affected during the
Second World War, Southampton has grown sturdy with huge docks built for the
cruise industry. The core of the modern city is now based around the City
Centre.
Introducing Australia It is located in the
Southern
Hemisphere and it is over twenty times the size of the United Kingdom has the
lowest population density in the world, with only two people per square kilometre, has more than seven thousand beaches (more than any other country)
and covers three time zones. It is also the sixth largest country and smallest
continent on the planet.
The Gold Coast of Australia features 40km of
sandy immaculate beaches and is located 70kms south of Queensland's capital
city, Brisbane, and 947kms North the capital of New south Wales, Sydney. It
has an estimated population of 480,000 and is Australia's sixth largest
city.
Stunning Katherine Gorge, the major attraction of Nitmiluk
National Park in the Northern Territory of Australia, is an absolute must see.
Katherine Gorge shows that the most impressive experiences in the Australian
Outback don't cost an arm and a leg, don't have to be shared with a kazillion
other tourists, and they don't require any special preparations.
New Zealand is a country comprised of two large islands
and many smaller islands in the southwestern Pacific Ocean and is noted for its
geographic isolation. The Tasman Sea separates Australia to the northwest; to
north are Fiji and Tonga. The total area of New Zealand is 268670 sq. km, which
is slightly less than Japan but a little more than the United Kingdom. The
country has extensive marine resources and the fifth largest Exclusive Economic
Zone in the world. Meaning New Zealand can claim over four million km2 or more
than 15 times its land area for exploration and use of marine resources.
The History of the Balearic Islands: The
Balearic Islands have been inhabited since prehistoric times, around 5000 BC,
and there are many Cyclopean remains. These show the communities constructed
dwellings of stone. There is evidence of primitive agriculture including the
keeping of domesticated animals. Jewelry, pottery and tools appear to have been
manufactured. Later they were frequently visited by Phoenician traders. In 654
BC the Carthaginians founded what is today Ibiza city. Roman occupation followed
and they were in turn evicted by the Visigoths.
Samoa, southseas paradise beckons to the modern
traveler.
The discovery of "the cave of John the Baptist" not far away from Jerusalem was a great journalistic drama. Archaeological news easily lights the imagination. Remember the movie series of Indiana Jones. Is it true that John the Baptist began to baptize his followers in this cave? Let us go over the facts, and find out.
Indiana Jones and the Cave of John the Baptist
Traveling Asia is
something that everyone
should experience at least once in their lifetime. When you travel to Asia,
there are so many things to see and do; make sure that you plan your trip in
advance. However, remember to leave some free time in you itinerary, because
when you travel Asia, you want to make sure that you have the flexibility for an
occasional adventure.
World of the Geisha:
The function of the geisha is to provide men with learned but carefree
conversation, song and dance, and cup after cup of sake. Unlike the common lot
of prostitutes, they are expected to receive rigorous training in their gei, or
"art". Their dress is elaborate and expensive, and thus their services do not
come cheap. And sex is not a service, or at any rate not the foremost service,
that they offer.
Taiwan:
Political struggles aside, the island and people of Taiwan are worth
visiting. Travelers who seek a contrast between traditional Asian culture
and modern Asian development need look no farther than Taiwan to satisfy
their traveling needs.
North Korea: As
an independent kingdom of "Morning Calm" for much of the past thousand years,
Korea was occupied by Japan in 1905 following the Russo-Japanese War. Five years
later, Japan formally annexed the entire peninsula. Many Korean village leaders
still speak fluent Japanese. After the terror of World War II liberated it Korea
was split almost in half on the 30th parallel with the northern half coming
under Soviet-sponsored Communist domination.
The City of Life, Hong Kong
The Southern Islands of Thailand
Thailand Holidays: Thailand means “the land of
the free”. It lies in the heart of Southeast Asia. It is one of the most
beautiful places in the world and one can only experience the exotic beauty of
the place when you get there. The fresh air kissing your face when you walk on
the beach, the mouth watering dishes and the rush and madness in the market is
something you will perhaps not get to see anywhere else.
India is a mystic land and has so many things that a traveler can discover. The best part about India is its rich history; the stories of Indian Kings and queens who lived and died for their kingdom is rather amusing. Even more amusing is to read about the secret lives of these kings and queens, their palaces, their summer retreats, their leisure activities, their traditions and their interest in art and architecture.
Africa, land of mystery. Actually, we
have quite a bit of knowledge stored here on the African Continent and we want
to share it with you.
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